I've read lots of info on this board since I got my truck 2 weeks ago. I checked today to see how far below the fill plug the oil level was in the rear diff and found the plug with some greay sludge on it. The oil also appeared grey. I've never seen oil this color. I'd like to hear what you guys think before I ask the dealer.

Thanks.

Brian

The truck is an 03 2500 QC HO 6 spd.

 

Usually a milky look to it is caused by water contamination. Is it just some foam on the plug, which might be normal, or can you get a sample deeper than the plug?

 

The factory fill looks like crap. It's grey/black and looks like it was run a million miles.

I changed mine early replacing with Shell Spirax "S" 75W-90 which looks like honey.

If you ask your dealer anything, he probably won't know. Why give him a chance to screw up your truck?

The cover uses a black rubber gasket, which I reused. Just put some silicone gasket gunk on the bolts when reinstalling and away you go.

DC uses the cheapest crap they can find. That's why they have AA axles now. Cheap.

 

It is definitely a grey color throughout the oil. I'm going to get that crap out of there and put in a good 75W-90 synthetic. I'll watch it from there and report on the color etc.


Brian

 

[quote author=Smokeman link=board=20;threadid=20912;start=0#msg196197 date=1066054095]
It is definitely a grey color throughout the oil. I'm going to get that crap out of there and put in a good 75W-90 synthetic. I'll watch it from there and report on the color etc.
Brian
[/quote]You've already got synthetic crap in it now.

If its grey and clear, its probably ok. If its milky grey, I'd be more concerned about whats happening in there and why is it milky-grey BEFORE you put in some Good synthetic oil.

 

Yup I know it is already synthetic crap. It is grey and clear. I've pulled wrenches for a lot of years and have not come across a gear oil that color before.

Brian

 

Per DC it's OK ???
However, changing it won't hurt a thing. Go for it I use AMSOIL throughout the truck. ;D

 

I changed mine at 10,000 miles and it was quite nasty. I would STRONGLY recommend everyone no matter how they drive to change out their rear lube by then if they want maximum life.

I refilled with Amsoil 75W90 gear lube

Vaughn

 

Changed it out today. Put in shell Spirax S 75W90 Synthetic. I checked the transfer case level and of course it is low. Now I've got to get some oil for that.

Brian

 

I checked mine at 1500mi. The plug had grayish milky color but the diff fluild itself looked ok. Level was 1" below hole so I topped it off with Mobil syn. 75-90wt. Would it be possible and easier to remove old fluid with a small pump by putting a small suction tube down fill hole? Has anyone done this? Seems like it would save having to pull and reseal the diff cover.

 

Pulling and reasealing the cover is very easy and quick. Plus you get the chance to visualize things in there.

Brian

 

I observed the same sluge, the oil was also milky gray, so I took the cover off, low and behold the iner side of the cover was covered with a light film of sluge. I cleaned the cover and soaked up the remaining oil in the bottom of the case. I added four quarts of amsoil full synthetic and reinstalled cover. good synthetic oil will not sluge up.

 

Do the new axles use an O ring to seal the cover, or are they RTV'd?

 

They use a heavy rubber gasket.

Brian